Burbank Airport seems to have contracted with a cab company that hires from only one national origin. Never mind what it is; my intent is not to bash the ethnic group. I should have been more concerned, though, when I told the driver I wanted to go to a particular Marriott and he asked if I had directions. He got on the road and called the dispatcher; they had several lengthy discussions in their native language and I wasn't even sure if we were on the right road as I watched the toll mount up. Finally, in desperation, I pulled out my newly-issued Blackberry to see if it had a GPS. It had enough technology to list directions from BUR to the hotel and I determined that we were on the right road and told him what exit to take.

Shortly after that he stopped at a gas station to ask directions and we got to the hotel soon after that.

How in the heck do companies get a contract when their drivers don't know where the hotels are and they're more comfortable dealing in a language other than English? I probably don't want to know.